CLOSING submission on the matter of the man accused of leading a group to protest at the Parliament House in November 2021 will be made in court on October 14.
Sade Kwate’e stood trial for one count of Sedition, two counts of Unlawful Assembly and one count of Arson.
The prosecution called six witnesses at the trial and at the end of their case, the defence made a No-Case to answer submission.
The presiding magistrate, however, found Kwate’e had case to answer to for all the charges laid on.
Kwate’e decided to remain silent and therefore the closing of the defence case.
It is now the turn of Kwate’e and his lawyer Bobby Harunari of Public Solicitor’s Office (PSO) to make their final argument on this case before the Presiding Magistrate delivers her judgement.
The closing submission was listed on Monday but Mr Harunari requested further time to complete his submission.
Kwate’e was accused of leading a group to protest at the Parliament House on 24 November 2021 for the Prime Minister to step down.
The prosecution further alleged that on the next day, 25 November, Kwate’e assembled a group and procured them to set fire to the Naha Police Station.
This was at the height of the three days of violence in Honiara, which left the city’s Chinatown in ruins and business houses and shops in Honiara looted and set on fire.
The Bank South Pacific (BSP) Branch at Ranadi, Kukum Police Traffic Center and part of Honiara High School were also burnt.
The Naha Police Station was ransacked and set on fire but the fire was swiftly put out by the Naha Community.
The violence was sparked by protestors who were against the Government’s decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Newsroom, Honiara
